OK so My partner and I are Homes are going for about $234,600 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
10 Replies
Vivian D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 40, moved here 5 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
34 upvotes
Jace Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Naomi James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Allison Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Sophia Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Timothy M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
brielle_mind
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Avery G.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Wesley Gonzalez
+1
11 upvotes
Dylan Bailey
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great seafood places. it was the best decision I ever made.
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